Golf club grip

ABSTRACT

A golf club grip includes a first member adapted for coaxially attaching along an end portion of the golf club and a second member coaxially and downwardly extended from the first member for coaxially mounting along the golf club. The first and second members have different natures to provide two different properties. Therefore, the golfer is able to tailor make the golf club grip depending on the personal preference and need by selecting the fabric textile, color, hardness and viscosity of each of the first and second members of the golf club grip.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation-In-Part application of a non-provisionalapplication, application Ser. No. 11/192,775 filed on Jul. 29, 2005 anda non-provisional application, application Ser. No. 10/771,710 filed onFeb. 03, 2004, which is a Continuation-In-Part application of anon-provisional application, application Ser. No. 29/196,500 filed onDec. 29, 2003.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The preset invention relates to a golf accessory, and more particularlyto a golf club grip having at least two integrated portions withdifferent natures to form a tapered tubular body for attaching to aholding end portion of a shaft of a golf club.

2. Description of Related Arts

Golf is one of the most popular sports in the world. All lowerhandicapped golfers recognize that the main key of having a good golfswing mostly depends on whether the golfer correctly grips the golfclub.

No matter a golfer uses an interlocking grip, a natural grip or anoverlapping grip, a proper grip is one of the most importantfundamental. If the golfer grips his or her golf club too tight, his orher arms will be too tense to release the body twisting power tomaximize the club head speed at impact of the golf ball through a golfswing. On the other hand, if the golfer grips his or her golf club tooloose, the golf club may slip out of his or her hands through the golfswing. Also, the power from the uncoiling body will fail to transmit tothe golf club through the golfer's hands. The flying trajectory, such asstraight, draw or fade, of the golf ball can also be controlled by thegripping hands of the golfer.

The term “grip” is misleading since it implies a forceful pressure. Infact, a more proper way is to “mold” the golfer's hands into the properposition, and then to hold the golf club with the proper amount ofpressure that allows the hands to work together to control the clubhead. For a right-hand golfer, his or her left hand will be the upperholding hand and his or here right hand will be the lower controllinghand. For a left-hand golfer, the right hand will be the upper holdinghand and the left hand will be the lower controlling hand.

The middle finger H1, ring finger H2 and little finger H3 of the upperholding hand H, i.e. the left hand of a right-hand golfer, are used tohold on the upper end portion of the grip G of a golf club, as shown inFIG. 5. The three holding fingers H1, H2 and H3 should apply anappropriate pressure to the grip G that is enough to support and holdthe golf club through the grip G. In other words, the golfer should becapable of holding the golf club at the upper end portion of the grip Gwithout the other hand and the thumb and index finger contacting thegrip G. By means of the three holding fingers H1, H2 and H3 withappropriate pressure applied to the grip, the arm of the golfer shouldbecome an extension of the golf club hinged to the golfer's body withhis or her shoulder. The appropriate holding pressure of the threeholding fingers H1, H2, H3 applied to the grip G varies with the weightand length of the golf club as well as the nature of the grip G. Theminimum holding pressure should be just enough to hold the golf club toprevent slipping off the hand through the golf swing. Then, the indexfinger and the thumb of the upper holding hand H should be simply placedon the grip G in position as shown in FIG. 5.

Then, simply place the lower controlling hand H′ on a middle portion ofthe grip G in such a manner that the ring finger H2′, the middle fingerH3′ and the index finger H4′ are placed on the grip G and aligned withthe middle finger H3 of the upper holding hand H while the little fingerH1′ of the controlling hand H′ is overlapped on top of the middle fingerH3 of the holding hand H for an overlapping grip, or the little fingerH1′ of the controlling hand H′ is interlocked with the middle finger H3of the holding hand H for an interlocking grip. Also, the index fingerand the thumb of the upper holding hand H should be simply placed on thegrip in position as shown in FIG. 5 while the center of the palm of thecontrolling hand H′ is facing the target. The grip pressure of thecontrolling hand H′ is applied at the contacts of the middle phalangesH21′, H31′ of the ring finger H2′ and the middle finger H3′ of thecontrolling hand H′ with the grip G.

In fact, by varying a few pressure points, you can better shape yourshots. For example, in order to hit a fade, the golfer can grip the golfclub a little bit tighter with the litter finger H1, the ring finger H2and the middle finger H3 of the holding hand H. Also, when more pressureis exerted by the thumb and index finger of the controlling hand H′ ofthe golfer, a right-to-left trajectory will be resulted.

In addition, the golfer can control the ball flying trajectory between ahook to a slice simply by adjusting the gripping position of thecontrolling hand H′ with respect to the gripping position of the holdinghand H, such as a strong grip or a weak grip. The grip pressure of thecontrolling hand H′ is for feeling and controlling but not forsupporting and holding the golf club. Therefore, the grip pressure ofthe controlling hand H′ should be merely tight enough to control theclub but still light enough to allow you to feel the weight of the golfclub throughout the swing.

It is why most of the golfers wear gloves with their holding hands toenhance frictional contact with the grip but keeping their controllinghands bare to ensure feeling for swing control.

No matter whether the golfer grips the golf club somewhat firmly orsoftly, what is really important is keeping your level of grip pressureconstant throughout the swing. Therefore, the nature and surfacecondition of the grip can substantially affect the golfer to apply theappropriate grip pressure. Some golf club grips provide anti-slip designon the grip surface for better frictional contact with the golfer'shands, it can substantially help to prevent slipping and provideconstant grip pressure throughout the swing for the holding hand but mayadversely affect the control and feeling of the controlling hand. Somegolf club grips provide smooth and soft grip surface for bettercontrolling but it also invites the holding hand to grip tighter toprevent slipping off. However, any excess grip pressure through the handmay also tense the arm and shoulder muscles and unexpectedly affect thegolf swing. How to produce a grip that fits to the different needs ofthe holding hand and controlling hand of a golfer becomes a challengefor the development of a better club.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A main object of the present invention is to provide a golf club gripwhich has at least two integrated portions with different natures toform a tapered tubular body for attaching to a holding end portion of ashaft of a golf club. Therefore, the golfer is able to tailor make thegolf club grip depending on the personal preference and need byselecting the fabric textile, color, hardness and viscosity of each ofthe first and second members of the golf club grip.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club grip,wherein the two portions of the golf grip are made of rubber indifferent colors for purposes of decoration and identification of thetwo portions for proper gripping with the holding and controlling handsof the golfer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club grip,wherein two portions of the golf grip are made of rubber in differenthardness for purposes of identification of the two portions for propergripping with the holding and controlling hands of the golfer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club grip,two portions of the golf grip are made of rubber with differentcompositions for purposes of identification of the two portions forproper gripping with the holding and controlling hands of the golfer.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a golf club grip,two portions of the golf grip are made of rubber with differentviscosity for purposes of identification of the two portions for propergripping with the holding and controlling hands of the golfer.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a golf clubgrip which comprises a first portion forming an upper anti-sliparrangement and a second portion forming a lower control arrangement,wherein the upper anti-slip arrangement is connected coaxially with thelower control arrangement to form a tubular body for attaching to aholding end portion of a shaft of a golf club. The anti-slip arrangementprovides a frictional surface to enable the three holding fingers (i.e.the middle, ring and little fingers) of a gloved holding hand of thegolfer to better holding the golf club with appropriate pressure and thecontrol arrangement provides a smoother surface to ensure better feelingand control for the bared controlling hand of the golfer.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a golf clubgrip, wherein the anti-slip arrangement further comprises a cotton yarnreinforced surface layer to provide a coarse surface for betterfrictional contact with the gloved holding hand of the golfer and aharder surface structure than the control arrangement to ensure ananti-slipping grip with appropriate pressure while the controlarrangement still provide a softer and smoother feel for controllinggrip of the bared controlling hand of the golfer.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a golf clubgrip, wherein the anti-slip arrangement of the grip has a length longenough for the three holding fingers (the middle, ring and littlefingers) and the index finger of the upper holding hand of the golfer tocompletely grip thereon normally while the index finger is just placedat the lower end of the anti-slip arrangement, so that the ring, middleand index fingers of the controlling hand can naturally place on thecontrol arrangement of the grip and align immediately with the indexfinger of the holding hand.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a golf clubgrip, wherein the anti-slip arrangement at an upper portion of the gripand the control arrangement at a lower portion of the grip are made ofrubber in different colors for purposes of decoration and identificationof the two portions for proper gripping with the holding and controllinghands of the golfer.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a golf clubgrip, wherein an upper portion of a bottom side of the controlarrangement is provided with an anti-slip surface structure which issized and shaped to ensure the middle phalanges of the ring, middle andindex fingers of the lower controlling hand are in contact therewith toprovide a better frictional contact for some golfers.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method formanufacturing the golf club grip with two integrated portions ineconomic cost, wherein the manufacturing process is easy and simple thatthe golfer is able to tailor make the golf club grip to fit the personalneed in lower cost so as to ensure a comfortable interlocking, naturalor overlapping grip between the holding hand and the controlling hand ofthe golfer.

Another objective of the present invention is to provide a method formanufacturing the golf club grip with anti-slip and control arrangementin economic cost, in which the cotton yarn surface reinforced anti-sliparrangement is integrated with the control arrangement to form anintegral body with an even thickness at the junction between the lowerend of the anti-slip arrangement and the upper end of the controlarrangement so as to ensure a comfortable interlocking, natural oroverlapping grip between the holding hand and the controlling hand ofthe golfer.

Accordingly, in order to accomplish the above objects, the presentinvention provides a golf club grip for a golf club comprising a shaftand a club head attached to a lower end of the shaft, wherein the golfclub grip comprises:

a first member which is rubber made tube having a lower end, an upperend and a gripping surface defining between the upper end and the lowerend;

a second member which is rubber made tube having an upper end and alower end coaxially integrated with the upper end of the first member toform an elongated integral tubular body for attaching to an upper endportion of the shaft of the golf club, wherein the first and secondmembers have different natures to provide two different tones of thegolf club grip; and

a rubber made endpiece integrally formed at the upper end of the secondmember.

Accordingly, the first member can be a lower control arrangement whichis a rubber made tube having a lower end, an upper end and a grippingsurface having a softness adapted for enhancing a sense of touching feelfor a controlling hand of the golfer to grip thereon.

The second member can be an upper anti-slip arrangement which is arubber made tube having an upper end and a lower end coaxiallyintegrated with the upper end of the control arrangement to form anelongated integral tubular body for attaching to an upper end portion ofthe shaft of the golf club, wherein the anti-slip arrangement providesan outer anti-slipping surface to provide a predetermined grippingfriction for a holding hand of the golfer to grip thereon, wherein theanti-slip arrangement has a length at least long enough for at least amiddle finger, a ring finger and a little finger of the holding hand ofthe golfer to be completely gripped thereon, so that a ring finger, amiddle finger and an index finger of the controlling hand of the golferis capable of naturally placing on the control arrangement.

In a preferred embodiment, the anti-slip surface of the anti-sliparrangement is integrally coated with a thin reinforced rubber layerlaminated with cotton yarn to provide a frictional coarse surface as theouter anti-slipping surface for frictional contact with the golfer'sholding hand and to limit and control the elasticity of the rubbermaterial to produce a reinforced harder surface for better holding feelof the holding hand of the golfer.

In a preferred embodiment, an upper portion of a bottom side of thecontrol arrangement is provided with an anti-slip surface integrallycoated with a thin reinforced rubber layer laminated with cotton yarnwhich is sized and shaped to ensure the middle phalanges of the ring,middle and index fingers of the lower controlling hand are in contacttherewith to provide a better frictional contact for some golfers.

In a preferred embodiment, the anti-slip arrangement is long enough toenable an index finger of the holding hand of the golfer placing at thelower end thereof and the ring finger of the controlling hand can bealigned with the index finger of the holding hand.

In a preferred embodiment, the first member is made of non-fibermaterial provided thereon for enhancing a sense of touching feel for acontrolling hand of the golfer to grip on the first member. The secondmember comprises a textile fabric provided thereon to enhance thegripping friction of the second member for the holding hand of thegolfer to grip on the second member. Alternatively, the first and secondmembers have different colors to form to two-tone golf club grip so asto enhance the aesthetic appearance thereof and to guide the golfer togrip the golf club. Thus, the first and second members have differenthardness to enhance the feeling of the golf club grip for the golfer tocontrol the golf club. In addition, the first and second members havedifferent viscosities to enhance the gripping friction of the golf clubgrip for the golfer to control the golf club.

The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing a golfclub grip as described above, comprising the steps of:

(a) overlapping a cotton yarn or the like on an exterior surface of afirst raw rubber layer and painting a rubber latex on the cotton yarn toattach the cotton yard on the exterior surface of the first raw rubberlayer to form a thin reinforced rubber layer laminated with the cottonyarn;

(b) preparing a second raw rubber layer which is shaped and sized toform at least at pair of control members;

(c) shaping the first raw rubber layer that is coated with the cottonyarn laminated rubber layer to form at least pair of anti-slip members;

(d) aligning the pair of anti-slip members with the pair of controlmembers in an end to end manner in two halves of heat mold respectively;and

(e) vulcanizing the pair of anti-slip members and the pair of controlmembers in the heat mold to form a golf club grip which is a tubularbody including a tubular anti-slip arrangement and a control arrangementcoaxially extended from a lower end of the anti-slip arrangement,wherein the raw rubber of the pair of anti-slip members are vulcanizedand integrated to form the tubular anti-slip arrangement while thecotton yarn reinforced rubber layers are also vulcanized to integrallycoat on an outer circumferential surface of the anti-slip arrangement,wherein the raw rubber of the pair of control members is vulcanized withthe lower end of the anti-slip arrangement to form the tubular controlarrangement which is integrated coaxially with the anti-sliparrangement.

In the step (a), each half of anti-slip member has two or morelongitudinal sections having different thickness to form a taperedtubular body and appropriate weight of raw rubber to ensure the junctionbetween the anti-slip arrangement and the control arrangement beingevenly integrated to provide an even thickness here.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of a gold club grip according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the golf club grip with the golfclub according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a step of a method of manufacturing a golf club gripfor the golf club according to the above preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic bottom view of the golf club grip attached to thegolf club according to the above preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, illustrating the anti-slip arrangement gripped by a holdinghand of a golfer and a control arrangement gripped by anothercontrolling hand of the golfer.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a conventional golf club grip with agolfer gripped with both hands.

FIG. 6 is a perspective of a golf club grip according to a preferredembodiment of the present invention, illustrating the first and secondmembers having different properties.

FIG. 7 illustrates the golf club grip with first, second, and thirdmembers having different natures of fabric textile, color, hardness andviscosity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 and 6 of the drawings, a golf club grip 1 fora golf club 1A according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is illustrated, wherein the golf club grip 1 comprises a firstmember 20 and a second member 10.

The second member 20, which is rubber made tube, has a lower end 201, anupper end 202 and a gripping surface 21 defining between the upper end202 and the lower end 201.

The first member 10, which is rubber made tube, has an upper end 102 anda lower end 101 coaxially integrated with the upper end 202 of the firstmember 20 to form an elongated integral tubular body for attaching to anupper end portion of the shaft of the golf club 1A, wherein the firstmember 10 has an outer circumferential surface 11 integrally extendedfrom the gripping surface 21 of the second member 20. The first andsecond members 20, 10 have different natures to provide two differentproperties.

A shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the first member 10 forms an anti-sliparrangement and the second member 20 forms a lower control arrangementto provide two different properties.

Accordingly, the circumferential gripping surface 21 of the secondmember 20 has a softness adapted for enhancing a sense of touching feelfor a controlling hand H′ of a golfer to grip thereon.

The anti-slip arrangement of the first member 10 is coaxially integratedwith the upper end 202 of the second member 20 to form an elongatedintegral tubular body for attaching to the upper end portion of theshaft 1A of the golf club. The anti-slip arrangement of the first member10 forms a circumferential anti-slipping surface on the circumferentialsurface 11 to provide a predetermined gripping friction for a holdinghand H of the golfer to grip thereon.

The upper end 102 of the first member 10 of the golf club grip 1 furtherintegrally provides a rubber made endpiece 30 to cover the upper end102. The elongated integral tubular body of the golf club grip 1 isadapted for coaxially attaching to an upper end portion of a shaft 1A1of the golf club 1A that can be a driver, a fairway wood, an iron, or aputter. The anti-slipping surface 11 of the second member 10 isconstructed to provide a predetermined gripping friction for the holdinghand H which generally wears a golf glove to grip thereon.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the anti-slip arrangement of the firstmember 10 has a predetermined length L1 long enough for at least amiddle finger H3, a ring finger H2 and a little finger H1 of the holdinghand H of the golfer to be completely gripped thereon and that a ringfinger H2′, a middle finger H3′ and an index finger H4′ of thecontrolling hand H′ of the golfer is capable of naturally placing on thecontrol arrangement 20. Of course, the golf club grip 1 can beclassified into man size, woman size, teenager size, and child sizeaccording to the different sizes of their hands. Therefore, the lengthL1 of the anti-slip arrangement of the first member 10 should be variedfrom different size of the holding hand of man, woman, teenager, orchildren of different age according to the requirement as describedabove.

In order to better understand the novel structure of the golf club grip1 of the present invention to form the anti-slip arrangement of thefirst member 10 and the lower control arrangement of the second member20, a method of manufacturing the golf club grip 1 according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3and described in the following, wherein the method comprises thefollowing steps.

(a) Overlap a textile fabric such as a cotton yarn 12 or the like on anexterior surface of a first raw rubber layer 11′ and paint a rubberlatex 110′ on the cotton yarn 12 to attach the cotton yard 12 on theexterior surface of the first raw rubber layer 11′ to form a thinreinforced rubber layer 111′ laminated with the cotton yarn 12, as shownin FIG. 3(A).

(b) Prepare a second raw rubber layer 210′ which is shaped and sized toform at least a pair of control members 21′, as shown in FIG. 3(B).

(c) Shape the first raw rubber layer 110′ that is coated with the cottonyarn laminated rubber layer 111′ to form at least a pair of anti-slipmembers 13′, as shown in FIGS. 3(A) and 3(C).

(d) Align the pair of anti-slip members 13′ with the pair of controlmembers 21′ in an end to end manner in two halves of heat mold Mrespectively.

(e) Vulcanize the pair of anti-slip members 13′ and the pair of controlmembers 21′ in the heat mold to form the golf club grip 1 including thetubular anti-slip arrangement 10 and the control arrangement 20coaxially extended from the lower end of the anti-slip arrangement ofthe first member 10, wherein the raw rubber of the pair of anti-slipmembers 13′ is vulcanized and integrated to form the tubular anti-sliparrangement of the first member 10 while the cotton yarn reinforcedrubber layers 111′ are also vulcanized to integrally coat on an outercircumferential surface 11 of the anti-slip arrangement of the firstmember 10, wherein the raw rubber of the pair of control members 21′ isvulcanized with and extended from the lower end 101 of the anti-sliparrangement of the first member 10 to form the tubular controlarrangement of the second member 20 which is integrated coaxially withthe anti-slip arrangement of the first member 10, as shown in FIGS. 1and 2.

In other words, only the first member 10 contains the textile fabric toprovide a gripping friction on the anti-slipping surface 11 of the firstmember for the holding hand H which generally wears a golf glove to gripthereon. There is no textile fabric provided on the gripping surface 21of the second member 20 to enhance the sense of touching feel for acontrolling hand H′ of a golfer to grip thereon.

In which, the first and second raw rubber layers 11′ and 210′ may havedifferent compositions so that, after the vulcanization process, theanti-slip members 13′ can be harder than the control members 21′.Various additives may be added into the first and second raw rubberlayers 11′, 21′ to control their hardness and softness. For example,sulfur can be used to harden the raw rubber and keep it remainingflexible in the room temperature. Preferably, the lower controlarrangement of the second member 20 is softer than the upper anti-sliparrangement of the first member 10. It is worth to mention that apredetermined material (1904 hardening agent) is added to the firstmember 10 to increase the hardness thereof for preventing any torqueoccurring at the first member 10. During the golfer swings the golfclub, the golfer will apply the torque at the upper portion of the shaftof the golf club to twist at the first member 10. Since the upperportion of the shaft of the golf club is received in the first member10, the angle of the club face will be unintentionally changed once thetorque occurs at the first member 10.

In the step (a), the cotton yarn 12 which is overlapped on the exteriorsurface of the first raw rubber layer 11′ is adhered on the exteriorsurface of the first raw rubber layer 11′ by the rubber latex 110′ suchthat, during the vulcanization step (e), the rubber latex 110′ of thethin reinforced rubber layer 111′ is vulcanized to integrate with thefirst raw rubber layer 11′ to form the anti-slip arrangement of thefirst member 10. The amount of the rubber latex 110′ to be painted onthe exterior surface of the first raw rubber layer 11′ is to form a thinlayer of rubber latex 110′ having a thickness slightly smaller than adiameter of each cotton filament of the cotton yarn 12. In other words,the cotton yarn 12 would not be completely covered by the rubber latex110′ and at least a portion of the cotton yarn 12 should be evenly andspacedly exposed outside around the anti-slip arrangement of the firstmember 10 after vulcanization so as to produce a coarse exterior surfaceas the anti-slipping surface 11 so that the holding hand H of the golfercan be substantially in contact with such exposed portions of the cottonyarn 12. Accordingly, the anti-slipping surface 11 not only provides africtional contact with the golfer's holding hand H but also limits andcontrols the elasticity of the rubber material to produce a reinforcedharder surface for better holding feel of the holding hand H of thegolfer. In other words, the cotton yarn 12 is only formed on the firstmember 10 to provide different properties with respect to the secondmember 20.

In order to provide a better gripping effect, most of the golf clubgrips 1 are made in taper shape, i.e. to gradually increase its outerdiameter from a lower end to an upper end. Especially, the taper angleof the upper end 102 of the anti-slip arrangement of the first member 10generally increases for a better holding effect so that the thickness ofthe upper end 102 is much thicker than that of the lower end 101, asshown in FIG. 2. In addition, in order to ensure an even and smoothintegration of the raw rubber materials of the lower ends of theanti-slip members 13′ and the upper ends of the control members 21′ toform the elongated integral tubular body of the golf club grip 1.

Each of the anti-slip members 13′ has two or more longitudinal sectionshaving different weight of raw rubber to form a tapered tubular body andto ensure the junction between the first member 10 and the second memberbeing evenly integrated to provide an even thickness there. In order todoing so, as shown in FIG. 3(D), a taper shaped additional raw rubberpiece 130′ is attached to an interior surface of each of the anti-slipmembers 13′ so as to gradually increase the weight of total raw rubberfrom the lower end to the upper end.

Both the anti-slip members 13′ and the control members 21′ should beweighted to ensure quality. Preferably, the weight of each of theanti-slip members 13′ is approximately 18.8 g and the weight of each ofthe control members 21′ is approximately 11.8 g.

As shown in FIGS. 3(B) and 3(C), both the anti-slip members 13′ and thecontrol members 21′ are each cut into a predetermined taper shapeadapted to form a semi-tubular shape member corresponding to thedesignated size and shape of the upper portion and lower portion of golfclub grip 1.

As shown in FIGS. 3(F) and 3(G), the anti-slip members 13′ and thecontrol members 21′ are aligned in an end-to-end manner in asemi-circular mold socket M11 or M12 of one of the base mold M1 and theupper mold M2 of a steel made vulcanization mold M. The semi-circularmold sockets M11 and M12 are aligned to form a plurality of tubular moldsockets after the base mold M1 and the upper mold M2 are connectedtogether, wherein a plurality of core shafts S are coaxially placedinside the tubular mold sockets respectively to ensure the tubular shapeof the golf club grip 1 after vulcanization. During the vulcanization,the temperature within the vulcanization mold M should be heated to 100degree Celsius or more.

It is worth to mention that the endpiece 30 is placed at the base moldM1 at the upper end 102 of the second member to integrally attach at theupper end 102 of the second member. In addition, the color of theendpiece 30 can be the same of the color of the second member to providea uniform appearance or can be different from the second member toenhance the aesthetic appearance of the golf club grip. Alternatively,the endpiece 30 can be attached to the upper end 102 of the secondmember after the first member is integrally coupled with the secondmember in the step (e).

According to the preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3(E), before thestep (e), the method may further comprise a pre-shaping step in analuminum mold M′, wherein a half of the anti-slip member 13′ and a halfof the control member 21′ are aligned end to end in a semi-circular moldsocket M1′ of the aluminum mold M′ to form a semi-tubular body beforethe vulcanization.

According to the golf club grip 1 of the present invention, as shown inFIG. 4, the upper anti-slip arrangement of the first member 10 isintegrated coaxially with the lower control arrangement of the secondmember 20, wherein the anti-slip arrangement of the first member 10provides a frictional surface to enable the three holding fingers H1,H2, H3 (i.e. the middle, ring and little fingers) of a gloved holdinghand H of the golfer to better holding the golf club 1A with appropriatepressure and the control arrangement of the second member 20 provides asmoother surface to ensure better feeling and control for the baredcontrolling hand H′ of the golfer.

The anti-slip arrangement of the first member 10 further comprises acotton yarn reinforced coarse surface as the anti-slip surface 11 forbetter frictional contact with the gloved holding hand H of the golferand a harder surface structure than the control arrangement of thesecond member 20 to ensure an anti-slipping grip with appropriatepressure while the control arrangement of the second member 20 stillprovide a softer and smoother feel for controlling grip of the baredcontrolling hand H′ of the golfer.

As mentioned above, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the anti-slip arrangementof the first member 10 of the golf club grip 1 has a length L1 longenough for the three holding fingers H1, H2, H3 (the middle, ring andlittle fingers) and the index finger H4 of the upper holding hand H ofthe golfer to completely grip thereon normally while the index finger H4is just placed at the lower end 101 of the anti-slip arrangement 10, sothat the ring, middle and index fingers H2′, H3′ and H4′ of thecontrolling hand H′ can naturally place on the control arrangement ofthe second member 20 of the golf club grip 1 and align immediately withthe index finger H4 of the holding hand H. Also, the control arrangementof the second member 20 should generally have a length L2 longer than asize of the controlling hand H′ for a completely and comfortably gripthereon.

According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, as shownin FIGS. 1 and 4, for some golfers who may need to hold the golf clubwith their lower controlling hands H′ with more pressure, an upperportion of a bottom side of the control arrangement of the second member20 can be made to provide with an additional anti-slip portion 22 whichis sized and shaped to ensure the middle phalanges of the ring, middleand index fingers H2′, H3′ and H4′ of the lower controlling hand H′ arein contact therewith to provide a better frictional contact for thosegolfers. In order to made such additional anti-slip portion 22, in thestep (b) of the manufacturing method of the golf club grip 1, a piece ofcotton yarn 22′ is attached to an upper end portion of an exteriorsurface of one of the pair of control members 21′ by painting a rubberlatex onto the piece of cotton yarn 22′ like the adhering method of thecotton yarn 12′ on the first raw rubber layer 11′ as taught in the step(a).

Since the cotton yarn surface reinforced anti-slip arrangement of thefirst member 10 is integrated with the control arrangement of the secondmember 20 to form an integral body where the lower end 101 of theanti-slip arrangement of the first member 10 is fused with the upper end202 of the control arrangement of the second member 20 so as to ensure acomfortable interlocking, natural or overlapping grip between theholding hand H and the controlling hand H′ of the golfer.

It is worth to mention that the cotton yarn 12 of the anti-sliparrangement of the first member 10 renders a less elasticity than thecontrol arrangement of the second member 20 and provides a reinforcedharder surface while the control arrangement of the second member 20would have a softness softer than the anti-slip arrangement of the firstmember 10 for enhancing a sense of touching for the controlling hand H′of the golfer. Therefore, the golfer is able to swing the golf club 1Aby securely holding the anti-slip surface 11 by the gloved holding handH while feelingly control the golf club 1A by holding the controllinghand H′ on the gripping surface 01 of the control arrangement 20. Theanti-slip arrangement 10 can be made harder than the control arrangement20 in the sense that the anti-slip arrangement 10 is less deformativewith respect to pressure.

FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate the first and second members 10, 20, havingdifferent properties, form the anti-slip arrangement and the controlarrangement respectively and the manufacturing method thereof. FIG. 6illustrates the first and second members 10, 20 forming in differentnatures to provide different properties.

Accordingly, the first and second members 10, 20 have differentelasticity. One advantage of the present invention is that since thefirst member 10 and the second member 20 have various elasticity, agreater frictional force is created between the first member 10 and thegolf glove of the holding hand H while a lesser frictional force iscreated between the second member 20 and the bare hand of the golfer.Since the bare hand, i.e. the controlling hand H′, of the golferdirectly contacts with the second member 20, the fingers of the barehand have better sense of touching comfortably so as to enhance thecontrol of the golf club 1A. In addition, the vibration of the golf club1A during the swing could be absorbed by the second member 20 so as tofurther enhance the swinging control of the golf club 1A. Therefore, thegolfer would feel comfortable when his or her controlling hand H′ holdsthe first member 20 and his or her holding hand H holds the first member10. This arrangement reduces the risk of the bare hand getting hurt andalso helps the gloved hand to apply swinging force to golf club 1directly.

Alternatively, the viscosity of each of the first and second members 10,20 is selectively adjusted by adding a predetermined additive into theraw rubber of the first and second members such that the first andsecond members 10, 20 have different viscosities to provide differentstickiness of the controlling hand H′ and the holding hand H of thegolfer. Accordingly, the viscosity of the first member 10 is differentthe viscosity of the second member 20 such that the golfer is able tohold the golf club grip in position. In other words, the viscosity ofeach of the first and second members 10, 20 provides a predeterminedstickiness between the hands of the golfer and the outer circumferentialsurface of the golf club grip 1. Accordingly, the first member 10 ismuch sticky than the second member 20 such that the holding hand H ofthe golfer has a better feeling at the first member 10. Likewise, thefirst member 10 is less sticky than the second member 20 to fit the needof the golfer.

The manufacturing method of the golf club grip 1 to provide differentviscosities at the first and second members 10, 20 is the same as theabove mentioned method as shown in FIG. 3, except the anti-slip members13′ becoming the first viscosity member and the control member 21′becoming the second viscosity member. In other words, the viscosity ofthe first raw rubber layer 110′ is different from the viscosity of thesecond raw rubber layer 210′. Accordingly, an additive can be added toone of the first and second raw rubber layers 110′ 210′ to alter theviscosity thereof when the first and second raw rubber layers 110′ 210′are made of same material, so as to provide two different viscosities ofthe first and second members 10, 20.

Also, as described above, a color of the second member 20 is differentfrom a color of the first member 10 to form a two-tone color club grip.The first and second members 10, 20 are made of rubbers of differentcolors and hardness for purposes of identification and variouselasticity. Accordingly, the rubbers of different elasticity are dyed ofdifferent colors. Thus, the first member 10 and the second member 20would appear in different colors so as to help the golfer to identifythe two portions. As a result, the golfer can easily place her handsonto the correct portions. Moreover, the different colors serve theaesthetic purposes and make the club more attracting. In addition to thevarious colors, the portions may be variously patterned and decoratedwith paints for the purposes of increasing the frictional contact anddecoration. For example, stripes of colors are provided at the ends andinterface of the first member 10 and the second member 20, respectively.The stripes can be any colors different from those of the first andsecond members 10, 20 in order for indication of the same.

It is worth to mention that the golfer is able to tailor make the golfclub grip depending on the personal preference or need by selecting thefabric textile, color, hardness and/or viscosity of each of the firstand second members 10, 20 of the golf club grip. In addition, a thirdmember and a fourth member can be integrally and coaxially extended fromthe first and second members to form the elongated integral tubular bodyof the golf club grip 1 of the present invention as shown in FIG. 7. Inother words, the golf grip 1 can contain more than two tubular portionshaving different natures to provide different fabric textile, color,hardness and/or viscosity for the golfer to handle the golf club. Forexample, a third member 40 has a lower end 401 and an upper end 402,wherein the upper end 402 of the third member 40 is coaxially integratedwith the lower end 201 of the second member 20, wherein an outercircumferential surface 41 of the third member 40 is integrally extendedfrom the gripping surface 21 of the second member 20. Therefore, thesecond member 20 is integrally extended between the first and thirdmembers 10, 40 end-to-end to form an elongated integral tubular body forattaching to the upper end portion of the shaft 1A of the golf club. Thefirst, second, and third members 10, 20, 40 would have different fabrictextiles, colors, hardness and/or viscosities. In other words, the firstmember 10 may have a combination of fabric textile, color, hardness, andviscosity different from the second and third members 20, 40.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isexemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have beenfully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown anddescribed for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structuralprinciples of the present invention and is subject to change withoutdeparture from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes allmodifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

1. A golf club grip for a golf club including a shaft and a club headattached to a lower end of the shaft, wherein said golf club gripcomprises: at least a second member which is rubber made tube having alower end, an upper end and a gripping surface defining between theupper end and the lower end; at least a first member which is rubbermade tube having an upper end and a lower end coaxially integrated withsaid upper end of said second member to form an elongated integraltubular body for attaching to an upper end portion of said shaft of saidgolf club, wherein said first member has an outer circumferentialsurface integrally extended from said gripping surface of said secondmember, wherein said first and second members have different natures toprovide two different properties of said golf club grip; and a rubbermade endpiece integrally formed at said upper end of said second member.2. The golf club grip, as recited in claim 1, wherein said first andsecond members have different hardness.
 3. The golf club grip, asrecited in claim 2, wherein said second member is softer than said firstmember.
 4. The golf club grip, as recited in claim 1, wherein said outercircumferential surface of said first member and said gripping surfaceof said second member have different friction.
 5. The golf club grip, asrecited in claim 2, wherein said outer circumferential surface of saidfirst member and said gripping surface of said second member havedifferent friction.
 6. The golf club grip, as recited in claim 4,wherein said outer circumferential surface of said first member hasgreater friction than said gripping surface of said second member. 7.The golf club grip, as recited in claim 1, wherein each of said firstand second members has a viscosity to provide a predetermined stickinesson each of said gripping surface and said outer circumferential surface.8. The golf club grip, as recited in claim 5, wherein each of said firstand second members has a viscosity to provide a predetermined stickinesson each of said gripping surface and said outer circumferential surface.9. The golf club grip, as recited in claim 7, wherein said first memberis much sticky than said second member.
 10. The golf club grip, asrecited in claim 1, wherein said first and second member have differentcolors.
 11. The golf club grip, as recited in claim 8, wherein saidfirst and second member have different colors.
 12. The golf club grip,as recited in claim 1, wherein said first and second member havedifferent fabric textiles.
 13. The golf club grip, as recited in claim11, wherein said first and second member have different fabric textiles.14. The golf club grip, as recited in claim 12, wherein said secondmember comprises a thin reinforced rubber layer laminated with cottonyarn to form said fabric textile of said first member.
 15. A method ofmanufacturing a golf club grip for a golf club including a shaft and aclub head attached to a lower end of the shaft, wherein the methodcomprises the steps of: (a) preparing a first raw rubber layer which isshaped and sized to form at least a pair of first rubber pieces; (b)preparing a second raw rubber layer which is shaped and sized to form atleast a pair of second rubber pieces; (c) aligning said pair of firstrubber pieces with said pair of second rubber pieces in an end to endmanner in two halves of heat mold respectively; and (d) forming saidpair of first rubber pieces and said pair of first rubber pieces in saidheat mold to form said golf club grip including a tubular first memberand a tubular second member coaxially extended from a lower end of saidfirst member, wherein said raw rubber of said pair of first rubberpieces is integrated to form said tubular first member, wherein said rawrubber of said pair of second rubber pieces is extended from said lowerend of said first rubber piece to form said second member which isintegrated coaxially with said first member, wherein said first andsecond members have different natures to provide two differentproperties of said golf club grip.
 16. The method as recited in claim15, in the steps (a) and (b), further comprising a step of addingadditives into at least one of said first raw rubber layer and saidsecond raw rubber layer so as to provide different hardness for saidfirst and second members.
 17. The method, as recited in claim 16,wherein said second member is softer than said first member.
 18. Themethod as recited in claim 15, in the steps (a) and (b), furthercomprising a step of adding additives into at least one of said firstraw rubber layer and said second raw rubber layer such that each of saidfirst and second members has a viscosity to provide a predeterminedstickiness on said outer circumferential surfaces for said first andsecond members.
 19. The method, as recited in claim 18, wherein saidfirst member is much sticky than said second member.
 20. The method asrecited in claim 15, in the steps (a) and (b), further comprising a stepof coloring at least one of said first raw rubber layer and said secondraw rubber layer to provide different colors for said first and secondmembers.
 21. The method as recited in claim 15, in step (b), furthercomprising a step of overlapping a textile fabric on an exterior surfaceof each of said first rubber pieces and painting a rubber latex on saidtextile fabric to attach said textile fabric on said exterior surface ofsaid first rubber piece, wherein said textile fabric is treated tointegrally coat on an outer circumferential surface of said secondmember, in step (d), to form a frictional coarse surface thereof whilesaid first member contains no fabric textile so as to provide twodifferent frictional surfaces of said first and second members.